Visiting restrictions will ease at Southland Hospital from 2pm today, Monday, 8 August.

Visitors to the Surgical, and Assessment, Treatment and Rehabilitation wards were temporarily suspended last week after several Covid-19 exposure events.

Strict infection, prevention and control measures will continue to be in place with door screening of all visitors. Visitors are required to wear a surgical mask for the entirety of their visit. Masks must remain on at all times to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses.

"Anyone visiting a loved one in hospital who does not have a surgical mask will be supplied one at the entrance," a Te Whatu Ora – Southern spokesperson says.

"Visitors are asked to stay home if they are unwell and not visit loved ones in hospital till they have been fully recovered for at least 24 hours."

Patients will only be allowed two nominated visitors per stay (only one visitor is allowed at a time and only one visitor per day) with the exception made on compassionate grounds.

Visiting at Southland Hospital is from 2-6pm daily. Further information can be found on the Southern Health website.

"Te Whatu Ora – Southern would like to thank the community for their kindness and patience as well as the ongoing hard work of our health workforce."